AJAX -- The consultation period regarding moving the mental health beds in Ajax to Scarborough has been "an absolute farce," says the co-chairman of the Friends of the Ajax Pickering hospital. "Through all this consultation process, I get the impression that you people haven't listened at all," Bill Parish said, adding no one in the community supports the plan.
Mr. Parish attended the second stakeholder meeting in the public consultation process held Wednesday regarding the transfer of the 20 beds from the Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering Hospital to Centenary Hospital in Scarborough.
Director of mental health Cheryl Williams explained the implementation plans for the mental health consolidation at Centenary and emphasized the hospital's plan to use a recovery-oriented philosophy. She also said the RVHS is committed to maintaining the same service volumes.
"Just because it's at one site doesn't mean you don't get access to that service," she said.
The transfer is expected to begin in the fall and be completed by Dec. 31. In the meantime, working groups will choose the best way to implement the plan. The RVHS is inviting interested people to join the committees, such as the transportation working group, the community integration and transition planning group and an out-patient process group.
Ms. Williams said RVHS hopes to involve people already using the system because "frankly we believe they'll be done better that way."
But, Mr. Parish was angry that consultation is taking place regarding implementation, not whether or not the RVHS will go through with the plan. He said when the RVHS reports its findings, it should report that the public wants the beds to stay in Ajax.
"The people have spoken and you're not listening," he said.
Rik Ganderton, RVHS president and CEO, said the fact remains that severe financial problems remain within the RVHS. The hospital is $78-million in long-term debt and capital deficiencies.
"We have to solve that problem and that requires making decisions that are difficult," he said.
Deborah Hammons, CE LHIN CEO confirmed "the implementation of the consolidation of beds is going forward but we are modifying the plan."
Chief of psychiatry Dr. Steve Fishman said he routinely sees patients with both medical and mental health problems fall through the cracks and said the long waits in the emergency room are unacceptable. Currently, he said the mental health department is geared toward people with just psychiatric and not medical needs.
"This is going to bridge that gap," he said.
Ms. Williams said to date, crisis expertise hasn't been in the emergency department, but confirmed the RVHS will move forward with that.
Patient Ashley Swalm said the upgraded emergency department won't be completed for another three or four years and asked what will be in place to ensure appropriate services are there for mental health patients.
Mr. Ganderton explained the hospital's redevelopment will be done in five phases over 30 months, but said for the emergency department, "I'm going to say it's 12-to-15 months away." He added two new beds will be there for mental health patients.
"It'll be better than it is now," he said. "I don't guarantee it'll be perfect, but it'll be better."
Dr. Karen Dockrill, a pediatrician, supports RVHS's plan, and said in order for health care to be sustainable, there has to be people who can make tough decisions.
"I think they did obtain all the best data and evidence to make this decision," she said, adding she's seen this through her involvement in the consultation process.
Ajax Councillor Joanne Dies said the Province has to look at the lack of funding to the hospital and the fact that the hospital merger "never made sense.
"We want hospital services to increase, not be eroded away," she said.
Those interested in joining a working group can contact RVHS.